Compressed Gas Cylinder –

Use, Handling and Storage

Standard

Section: Laboratory Safety Manual Date of Issue: 2009.01.12

Issued By: Environment, Health &Safety
Part: Rules and Procedures Revision #: 1
Revision Date: 2010.01.27
Pages: 6 Revised By: FD

SCOPE

Laboratories and other workplaces at the University of Calgary using compressed gas cylinders
need to be aware of the safe use, handling and storage requirements of the compressed gases
they work with. As a minimum, this guiding document needs to be reviewed by all staff prior to
commencing work with compressed gas cylinders.

Some compressed gases used alone or in combination present an extreme toxic, corrosive and/or
flammability hazard (see table 1) that will require health and safety precautions above and beyond
what is presented here. Workplaces using these gases will require additional controls such
specific exhaust requirements, gas detection systems and written site specific standard operating
procedures and training. EH&S must be consulted prior to conducting research with these gases.

PURPOSE

Compressed gases have the potential for creating hazardous working environments. This
Standard contains information on the safe use, handling, and storage of compressed gas
cylinders at the University of Calgary.

Although laboratories are the main users of compressed gas cylinders, they are also used by a
wide variety of faculties and departments. Uses include:

• Chemical processes;
• Medical;
• Welding, cutting and soldering operations;
• Carbonated beverages; and
• Outdoor cooking.

Compressed gases are Class 2 dangerous goods as defined by the Transportation of Dangerous
Goods (TDG) Act and Class B Controlled Products as defined by the Controlled Products
Regulation (WHMIS). Hazards of working with compressed gas include:

• Specific Chemical Properties of the Gas – Gases may be combustible, explosive,

corrosive, toxic, inert, or a combination of these properties.
• Asphyxiation – Gases escaping from a cylinder can expand, rapidly displacing the
oxygen in the area to below what is required to support life.
• Extreme Cold – Frostbite – Gases escaping from a cylinder may be very cold (e.g.
propane) and can cause frostbite. Severe frostbite can lead to serious permanent skin
damage.
• High Pressure – Damaged cylinders can become projectiles or spin out of control with
the rapid uncontrolled release of gas.
• Injection - Gas from pinhole leaks in lines can be injected into skin in direct contact with
the leak.
• Manual Handling – Cylinders are heavy and have been known to cause crush and
musculoskeletal injuries.

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Section: Laboratory Safety Manual Date of Issue: 2009.01.12
Issued By: Environment, Health &Safety
Part: Rules and Procedures Revision #: 1
Revision Date: 2010.01.30
Pages: 6 Revised By: FD

RESPONSIBILITIES

Environment, Health & Safety

• Provide information to users on appropriate legislation, codes, standards and best

practices for use handling and storage of compressed gas cylinders.
• Assist departments with interpretation and methods of compliance with this standard.
• Periodic formal and informal inspections of areas containing compressed gas cylinders to
monitor compliance with this standard.

Campus Infrastructure

• Develop and implement design guidelines compliant with appropriate legislation, codes,
standards and best practices affecting construction and renovations in areas where
compressed gas will be used or stored.

Supervisors

• Implement a Hazard Assessment and Control plan to identify and communicate hazards
related to the tasks being performed. Where compressed gas is used or stored, the
assessment and control of hazards related to it must take into consideration:
1. the general hazards of working with compressed gas,
2. the hazards related to the usage, specific to the gas or gases, in the area
(reference the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)),
3. movement of gas cylinders through the facility,
4. safe storage of cylinders,
5. the method of communicating the hazards to workers in the area,
6. and training of staff.
• Develop a written Standard Operating Procedure detailing the specific procedures for use,
handling, and storage of extremely toxic, corrosive and/or pyrophoric gases used in their
laboratory or workspace. Table one provides a partial list of gases requiring a Standard
Operating Procedure. If uncertain contact EH&S.
• Ensure that safe work practices for compressed gas cylinders are followed in their area.

Workers

• Review this standard prior to working with compressed gas.

• Follow the requirements set out in this standard and any additional requirements
determined by the area supervisor in regard to compressed gas cylinder handling, use,
and storage for their area.
• Report hazardous conditions immediately to their supervisor.
• Wear and properly maintain the required Personal Protective Equipment.

USEAGE

Cylinders

• Compressed gas cylinders present in a laboratory or workspace must be:

1. in a dry well ventilated area,
2. not exposed to temperatures exceeding 52°C or open flame,
3. in an upright position, and secured individually to a wall or an immovable object by a
strap or chain above the midpoint and below the shoulder, or in a holder designed for
that purpose (never secured to utilities),

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Section: Laboratory Safety Manual Date of Issue: 2009.01.12
Issued By: Environment, Health &Safety
Part: Rules and Procedures Revision #: 1
Revision Date: 2010.01.30
Pages: 6 Revised By: FD

4. located so that the point of use valve is away from immediate hazards and within
immediate reach (where the cylinder valve is located within immediate reach, a
separate point-of-use shutoff valve is not required),
5. and not located in any exit or corridor providing access to exits, under a fire escape,
outside exit stair, passage, ramp or within 1 metre of any exit.
• Only cylinders that are in use may be kept in a laboratory or workspace. A gas cylinder is
considered to be in use if it meets one of the following conditions:
a) is connected through a regulator to deliver gas to a laboratory operation,
b) is connected to a manifold being used to deliver gas to a laboratory operation,
c) and is a single reserve cylinder secured alongside a cylinder that is connected
through a regulator to deliver gas to a laboratory operation (this applies only if
operationally required and does not apply to gases listed in Table 1 of the Appendix).
• The main cylinder valve should be closed as soon as it is no longer necessary that it be
open (i.e. it should be closed when the equipment is not operating).
• A cylinder should never be emptied to below 25 psig. This will maintain a slight positive
pressure in the cylinder and keep contaminants out.
• Cylinders are not to be refilled by anyone except the gas supplier.
• Cylinders not attached to a device must have the regulator removed and the safety cap
firmly secured.
• For flammable gases in a piped or manifold system there must be an identified manual
shut-off valve at each point of use.

Identification

• The contents of cylinders must be clearly labelled. Colour is not an accurate indicator of
contents. Cylinders received that are not properly labelled must be returned to the vendor
immediately.
• Identify the gas with a label at each point of use when gases are being provided through a
manifold or piped system.

Regulators

For complete instructions on removing and attaching regulators see the Compressed Gas
Cylinder Regulator Installation – Standard Operating Procedure.

• Never use a compressed gas without a pressure reducing regulator marked for its
maximum cylinder pressure, designed for the specific gas that will reduce the pressure to
the design of your system.
• Regulators should have a gauge to measure the cylinder pressure and another to monitor
the outlet pressure.
• Use only regulators compatible to the valve connector of the gas being used. NEVER
USE AN ADAPTOR BETWEEN A CYLINDER AND A PRESSURE-REDUCING
REGULATOR.
• Use backflow check valves and flame arrestors on each hose whenever both flammable
and oxidizing gases are attached to the same system or device and backflow check
valves when high pressure and low pressure gases are connected to the same system.
• Wear safety glasses when connecting or disconnecting regulators.
• Never use grease, lubricating materials or an aid (e.g. pipe dope or Teflon tape) between
the threads of the cylinder and pressure reducing regulator.
• Leak test using soap and water or SNOOP™ after making a connection.

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Section: Laboratory Safety Manual Date of Issue: 2009.01.12
Issued By: Environment, Health &Safety
Part: Rules and Procedures Revision #: 1
Revision Date: 2010.01.30
Pages: 6 Revised By: FD

HANDLING

Movement and transportation of gas cylinders have been reported as immediate causes of
numerous incidents resulting in injuries and property damage. Because of the potential for
incidents/accidents, the following rules for transporting cylinders must be adhered to, in addition to
the requirements of the EH&S Safety Bulletin - Movement Of Hazardous Materials Within
Buildings.
Movement within a facility:

• Only move a cylinder, even for short distances, with the regulator removed, the cylinder
valve closed, and the safety cap screwed in place.
• Do not drop or strike cylinders.
• Do not lift or move cylinders by the cap.
• Transport cylinders in an upright position using a cart designed for that purpose and only
with the retaining chain or strap in place.
• Restrict movement of cylinders without a cart within the work area to distances of less
than 2 metres.
• Only freight elevators or elevators designated for moving hazardous goods are to be used
to move cylinders between floors within a building.
Transport on road

• Transportation of a gas cylinder by vehicle on a public road is subject to TDG legislation.

Private vehicles should not be used to transport dangerous goods. Contact Supply Chain
Management, Hazardous Materials Services for more information on TDG requirements.
• If a gas cylinder needs to be transported by vehicle between buildings on the main
campus, or from the main campus to South Campus, contact the vendor or Supply Chain
Management Goods and Services Procurement for assistance.

STORAGE

All users of compressed gas cylinders must maintain their on-site inventory of gas cylinders to as
low as reasonably practical and adhere to the requirements of this Standard and best practices for
storage of compressed gas. Through good ordering practices and inventory control, the reduction
of on-site inventory can be achieved.

• Laboratories must not be used for the storage of gas cylinders. Cylinders not in use are
considered to be in storage and must be located in a designated area designed for that
purpose and that are compliant with the Alberta Building Code and the Alberta Fire
Code.
• Storage areas must be clearly identified. Full cylinders must be stored separate from
empty cylinders.
• Quantities of stored compressed gas cylinders must be in compliance with Part 3 of the
Alberta Fire Code 2006. Contact EH&S for assistance.
• Separate stored cylinders by compatibility group.
o Corrosives from flammables
o Flammables from oxidizers
o Oxygen cylinders a minimum of twenty feet from flammable gas cylinders or
separated by a non-combustible barrier at least five feet high.
• Empty cylinders must be identified with tape or other method of tagging and labelled
“empty” or “MT”.

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Section: Laboratory Safety Manual Date of Issue: 2009.01.12
Issued By: Environment, Health &Safety
Part: Rules and Procedures Revision #: 1
Revision Date: 2010.01.30
Pages: 6 Revised By: FD

• Cylinders must be stored so that they are properly secured with a chain or strap to
prevent them from falling. Multiple cylinders should be stored in a racking system or
individually secured.
• Storage of multiple cylinders, outside a racking system, with a single chain should be
avoided. If a number of cylinders must be stored with one retaining chain then they should
be nested to always provide three points of contact with other cylinders and/or the chain.
• Cylinders must be stored in an upright position unless specifically designed to be on their
side.
• Store cylinders so that they are used in the order received. Gas in cylinders can degrade
over time and, therefore, unless a shorter maximum retention time is suggested by the
manufacturer cylinders should be returned to the vendor within 36 months of receipt.
Documentation from the supplier stating an expiry date greater than 36 months from date
of receipt is also acceptable.

REFERENCES

Alberta Fire Code 2006

Alberta Building Code 2006
NFPA 45 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals 2004 Ed.
NFPA 55 Standard for the Use, and Handling of Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids
in Portable and Stationary Containers, Cylinders and Tanks 2005 Ed.
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code July 1, 2009
Safety Bulletin Movement of Hazardous Materials Within Buildings
Compressed Gas Cylinder Regulator Installation – Standard Operating Procedure
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Code of Practice

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Section: Laboratory Safety Manual Date of Issue: 2009.01.12
Issued By: Environment, Health &Safety
Part: Rules and Procedures Revision #: 1
Revision Date: 2010.01.30
Pages: 6 Revised By: FD

Appendix

Table 1 –List of toxic, corrosive and pyrophoric gases requiring continual mechanical exhaust
ammonia dimethylamine, anhydrous nitrogen trioxide
arsenic pentafluoride dinitrogen tetroxide nitrosyl chloride
arsine ethylene oxide oil gas
boron trichloride fluorine oxygen difluoride
boron trifluoride formaldehyde perchloryl fluoride
bromine chloride germane phosgene
carbon monoxide hexaethyl tetraphosphate phosphine
carbonyl fluoride hexafluoroacetone phosphorus pentafluoride
carbonyl sulfide 1,3-hexafluorobutadiene selenium hexafluoride
chlorine hydrogen bromide silane
chlorine pentafluoride hydrogen chloride silicon tetrafluoride
chlorine trifluoride hydrogen cyanide stibine (antimony hydride)
coal gas hydrogen fluoride sulfur dioxide
cyanogen hydrogen iodide sulfur tetrafluoride
cyanogen chloride hydrogen selenide sulfuryl fluoride
diborane hydrogen sulfide tellurium hexafluoride
deuterium chloride methyl bromide trifluoroacetyl chloride
deuterium iodide methyl mercaptan trifluorochloroethylene
deuterium sulfide methylchlorosilane tungsten hexafluoride
dichlorosilane nitric oxide (nitrogen monoxide)

This is a partial list that will be reviewed and updated as new information is obtained.
Check material Safety Data Sheets and consult EH&S if unsure of the properties of any gas
prior to use.

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